Hagino goes for new title after Asiad shock

Japan's Kosuke Hagino will go for the Asian Games 200 metres individual medley title -- one of his favourite races -- on Monday after his shock win over the big names in the 200m freestyle.
The 20-year-old Hagino will be the new centre of attraction in a day when 27 gold medals will be decided and China need a win to avoid an early exit from the football tournament.
The rising Japanese star came from nowhere on Sunday night to take the 200 metre freestyle ahead of Olympic gold medal winners Sun Yang of China and South Korea's Park Tae-Hwan.
Hagino won the 200m medley silver at last year's world championship and beat American legend Michael Phelps at the Pan Pacific championships last month.
"Michael Phelps is my role model and I'm trying to become like him," said Hagino after his freestyle triumph in Incheon.
"I want to catch up with Phelps someday. But I have to put up the results and this is a big step. First I will try to win as many medals as I can at these Games."
Hagino will start in heat three on Monday, no doubt closely watched by Sun and Park who get a rest day.
The women's 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 200m breaststroke and men's 50m backstroke and 4 x 200m freestyle relay will also be fought out Monday.
- China under pressure -
China faces high-pressure encounters in badminton and football, two of the most popular Asian Games sports.
The Chinese women's badminton team -- led by world number one Li Xuerui -- take on South Korea for the gold medal. While China start as favourites, world number four Sung Ji-Hyun and Korean teammates are guaranteed fervent support from the home crowd.
In the men's team event, Lin Dan's China and Lee Chong Wei's Malaysia will meet in the other semi-final. But the two giants of badminton will not play each other in the team contest. South Korea play Taiwan in the other semi-final.
China's football team must beat Pakistan to assure a place in the second round of the men's tournament.
North Korea have already hammered both sides in the three nation Group F and as China's goal difference is worse than Pakistan's a win is a must to avoid an embarrassing exit.
In other games, India can still reach the knockout round if they beat Jordan in Group G. In Group B, Hong Kong need a point from their game against Bangladesh to make sure they go through.
Five judo titles, including the men's half-heavyweight -100kg, will be decided, along with four golds in shooting and two each in fencing, sepak takraw, weightlifting and wushu. The women's individual title will be fought for in gymnastics and the women's team pursuit in cycling.
South Korea and China go into the third day of competition level on 12 gold medals each. The Games hosts lead the medals table as they have 10 silvers to China's nine.
Source: AFP